Texas Democrats Are Set to Return Following Governor's Dissolution of Special Session Containing Redistricting Proposals, According to Sources
In a significant development, Texas House Democrats have returned to Austin after a two-week walkout, effectively ending their quorum break aimed at blocking the passage of new congressional maps favoring Republicans. Their return enables the Republican-controlled Legislature to advance and likely pass the GOP's proposed redistricting plan [1][2][4][5].
The Democrats' walkout was a protest against a mid-decade redistricting plan pushed by Republican leaders and former President Donald Trump, seen as an effort to strengthen GOP representation despite only four years since the last map redraw. During their absence, Republicans responded with civil arrest warrants and attempts to compel Democrats back, including seeking to remove House Democratic Caucus leader Gene Wu from office [1][4].
Democratic leaders framed the quorum break as a significant symbolic and strategic effort, claiming it “killed the corrupt special session” and drew national Democratic support. They also highlight California Democrats’ simultaneous redrawing of their own congressional maps to counterbalance potential Republican gains in Texas, which they say provides a “margin of safety” if Texas Republicans succeed in court or in the Legislature [1][2][3].
However, with the Democrats' return, the Texas House redistricting committee has already advanced a revised congressional map bill. The new bill will move to the House floor for consideration, potentially clearing the way for GOP passage as early as the current special session [5].
Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows have stated that the first special session will adjourn on Friday if Texas House Democrats do not return by then. If the first adjourns and Democrats do not return, Abbott would call a second special session immediately, according to his statement. The second special session, if called, would include every item from the first and potentially additional items [6].
The return of Texas House Democrats is dependent on the actions of the Governor, Speaker, and Texas Republicans regarding prioritizing flood victims over redistricting that could harm Texans. Abbott has expressed commitment to calling special sessions, which can last a maximum of 30 days, as long as needed to pass the maps [7].
The Texas House Democratic Caucus has not yet decided on travel plans for their return to Austin, and members are assessing their strategies in a private meeting [8]. The developments in Texas come as the Nation watches closely, with potential shifts in political power at stake [1][3][5].
[1] https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/05/texas-redistricting-democrats-return/ [2] https://www.politico.com/states/texas/alabama/story/2021/08/05/texas-democrats-end-quorum-break-return-to-austin-498616 [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/05/us/politics/texas-redistricting-democrats-return.html [4] https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Texas-Democrats-return-to-Austin-after-two-16376580.php [5] https://www.kut.org/post/texas-house-democrats-return-austin-ending-quorum-break [6] https://www.kxan.com/news/politics/texas-governor-greg-abbott-says-he-will-call-second-special-session-if-needed/ [7] https://www.kxan.com/news/politics/texas-governor-greg-abbott-says-he-will-call-second-special-session-if-needed/ [8] https://www.kut.org/post/texas-house-democrats-return-austin-ending-quorum-break
- The Texas House Democrats' return from a two-week walkout has shifted the focus of policy-and-legislation in the state, pushing forward the Republican-controlled Legislature's proposed redistricting plan, which aims to favor Republican representation in the congressional maps.
- Meanwhile, national general news outlets are closely watching the developments in Texas, as potential shifts in political power at stake could have significant implications for both politics and the nation as a whole.
